Dengue, chikungunya cases on the rise

Pre-monsoon showers in the city have caused a spike in the cases of vector borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

Sporadic rain results in waterlogging in several places that turn into breeding grounds for disease-causing mosquitoes. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike chief health officer Manoranjan Hegde said dengue and chikungunya are on the rise on city outskirts, especially Mahadevpura. “Fogging and spraying are intensified during the pre-monsoon season,” Hegde said.

“We’ve been educating the public about not storing water in open containers and to clean places where rainwater stagnates,” he said. Nearly 125 of the 198 BBMP wards located in fringes of the city are still under the health and family welfare department.

Migrant population

Dr Mohammed Sharif, a research officer with the National Vector Borne Diseases Control, said East Bengaluru is the most affected due to the migrant population.

“The number of migrants, especially workers, who keep traveling to neighbouring states and returning are more in this area,” Dr Sharif said.

“Asha workers have been engaged to visit the slums (in this area) twice a month to educate people on hygiene and cleanliness. The workers are paid an additional Rs 200 for the visits. Where Asha workers aren’t engaged, social workers, including those from NGOs, NSS and NCC, are sent to spread awareness on vector borne diseases,” he said.

Unlike in the BBMP areas, according to Dr Sharif, fogging and spraying are done only in the event of an epidemic when a large number of cases is reported from one area.

Now, Asha workers are supplied the larvicide temephos to be sprayed on mosquito breeding grounds.